tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79894397186610699572017-12-12T15:00:21.229-05:00The Murphy FamilyAmieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.comBlogger572125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-9607485970255123972016-03-10T22:13:00.004-05:002016-03-10T22:13:52.932-05:00617 Days<span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">I have struggled to come back to this space… this space that is so sacred and holds so much of our family’s story, of our Katy Girls Story. I have tried so many times in the past 617 days to come and update you… that have loved and prayed for our family especially Katy. I couldn’t, but I missed it and I missed this outlet… I thought of starting a new blog, but that didn’t feel right either… our past forever chronicled here in this space, I need it tell our future. </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;"> I reached out to my friends and family and asked if maybe they could help me break the silence… bridge the gap. Within thirty minutes the post below was in my inbox. My dear friend Anna Mary Geist president of It's My Heart and such a bright light in this sometimes dark and cruel world, reflected on how we got to where we are now. It was heartwarming to read her words and feel her love. Love for me, my family and our community. Thank you for helping guide me on this part of my journey.</span><br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, sans-serif;">Fast forward 1 year, 8 months, and 8 days... that's 617 days... 617 days! Many of you know what those days have held for the Murphy family, but maybe some of you who have only visited the blog a few times and have let Katy's story slip to the back of your memory do not. Maybe those "some of you" were left wondering and still wonder: "How is Katy? Is she still playing soccer? Is she still dancing? I have to get back to the blog and see how everything turned out and see her sister and see how Patrick is doing - he must be so big by now... Oh, I will do it later, I am sure she is doing great, she was amazing - a Rockstar - and always overcame even the most challenging obstacles. I really should go back there though... later..." For Katy and her family, later never came. Katy never came home from the hospital that summer. She never got to the top of that last mountain that was slammed in front of her. It wasn't for a lack of fight, however. Katy gave it her all to the very end. She fought hard to get through the infection and rejection her new heart and tiny body were facing, but this challenge was so much bigger than she was. On August 16, 2014, Katy gained her angel wings and the Murphy family said a goodbye no family should ever have to say. The funeral was the most beautiful celebration of life you have ever seen, yet it was also the most heart-wrenching and terrible thing to watch a family go through. I will never forget the literal and physical heartbreak I felt as the cemetery service ended and a Mom who had ALWAYS stood by her daughter through thick and thin, hospital stay after hospital stay, and was never forced to leave her daughter, turned to her own mother and sobbed "I cannot leave her here, I cannot leave my Katy." I thought to myself "Oh nooo, that's right, moms never leave their sick children." A piece of everyone's heart fell to Katy's casket with those words. Her mom was just amazing, however, when she hugged her tight and sweetly answered "You are not leaving her. Katy is not here. She is well." Katy was finally healed, no more hospital visits, no more pokes, no more fear. As hard as it was to say goodbye to Katy and as hard as it is to live without her bright smile and loving spirit here on earth, she is no longer in physical pain. Yet, it still rains on the Murphys. I truly believe a piece of that rain is Katy missing them as much as they are missing her. This is not the end of the story, Katy's journey, or this blog by any means. While Katy may not be here on earth with us, may not have met her sister Riley Kate (here), or have seen Patrick mastering his skiing skills; and her family lives every day with the untamed grief monster that rears its head wherever and whenever it likes... where even breathing can trigger a memory that carries with it days of depression and sorrow, the Murphy family has found a way to live each day, to raise Riley and Patrick to know and love Katy more and more each moment, and to keep Katy's spirit alive! They have started a wonderful Foundation in Katy's name that will do amazing work to help families facing the unthinkable, as well as bring smiles and cheer to other kids like Katy. Kind of fitting that today is day 617. Being from Boston, we all are 617 strong... for our community... for Katy... and for the whole Murphy family.</span> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/b2admFnFMs0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieenoreply@blogger.com6http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2016/03/617-days.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-87068901644308759512014-07-02T18:18:00.001-04:002014-07-02T18:18:24.796-04:00June 30 2014<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I am writing this from Katy’s ICU room… back in the little window seat/bed.&nbsp; I have been here many times in the last six years… I have <em>slept</em> if you can call it that listening to the beeps and the hums of the ICU.&nbsp; The ICU is usually our stop gap before home or the floor.&nbsp; We thankfully never spend much time within these walls because Katy is always too well to be in the ICU. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This time is different… so different.&nbsp; There are new noises coming from the ECMO machine that is keeping her alive… she is not the easy patient for this nurse… there are two nurses bedside at all times.&nbsp; There is no Frozen or Annie blaring from the TV… no crafting or card games.&nbsp; No it is sterile, quiet and horrible… no one can believe that it is Katy Murphy the firecracker who was tooling around the ICU halls in her go cart just hours before she was in cardiac arrest.&nbsp; No one finds it harder to believe than me. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">How did this happen?! I keep asking… no one knows. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">What happened? </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Monday was a normal day… well normal as far as days in the hospital go.&nbsp; Katy was in the ICU to try a big gun Beta Blocker in hopes of bringing down her heart rate… after 24 hours and reaching maximum dose and no improvement.&nbsp; It was decided that she would go back to the cath lab on Tuesday and they would see about finding a hot spot and ablating it and hopefully that would do the trick and no pace maker would be needed. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy was having her typical hospital 7pm snooze and Mike and I both thought she would be down for the night since she had an early day.&nbsp; Change of shift happened… Night nurse was preparing 8pm meds and Mike was headed across the street to pick us up some dinner. Katy woke up to take her meds… said she had a belly ache, I thought she may have to poop.&nbsp; Was putting her crocs on when I noticed her face/lips looked very purple/gray… looked at her a second later and her eyes were rolling back in her head… I screamed for the nurse (who thankfully was bedside with us) she looked at Katy and went to push the code button… I ran to the hallway and screamed help…within 30 seconds 30 people were in Katy’s tiny bed space.&nbsp; They bagged her and immediately started chest compressions… within 3 minutes the decision was made that she needed ECMO… the team worked flawlessly, nurses, doctors, everyone knew their role and did it effortlessly.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I of course was losing my mind… and begging God and anyone who would listen to save my girl. An amazing fellow ICU parent who was walking down the hall at the time picked me up and held me and told me it would be OK.&nbsp; He was so kind… I will never forget the kindness he showed me in that moment.&nbsp; Then my poor husband could hear my screams from the hallway and knew it was Katy… I can’t imagine what was going through his head as he walked through those double doors… I do know that the strength and courage he showed while watching the team work on his baby girl was remarkable.&nbsp; He watched the entire time as they performed CPR for what seemed like hours.&nbsp; Holding me and giving me updates as he thought I could handle them.&nbsp; Pointing out the good things… only stepping away once she was on ECMO to call my parents. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It is nothing short of a miracle that Katy is alive today.&nbsp; One of the nurses who was performing CPR (there were two and they switched off) came to see us last night and he said that he felt it was divine intervention in that room that night because it was bad.&nbsp; Her heart just completely stopped and her lungs filled with blood.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Because of pressure in her lungs once she was on ECMO she had to go to the cath lab immediately to relieve the pressure in her heart.&nbsp; They did this by making a hole between the ventricles. Now we wait… we are approaching the 48 hour mark and Katy is doing as well as anyone can hope on ECMO… There appears to be no damage to her other organs, her lungs which took the hardest hit are already showing improvement.&nbsp; Her CT scan did show a small brain bleed… nothing concerning at this time and certainty not unexpected.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The plan as of now is to begin warming Katy up overnight… and lift her sedation just enough to ask her to squeeze our hand… and move her feet in the morning.&nbsp; This will also give them the opportunity to assess her heart rate as she warms. If the heart rate rises as she warms they will still have to resolve this problem which means a trip to the cath lab for ablation. She would probably go to the cath lab while still on ECMO to put as less stress as possible on her healing heart and lungs.&nbsp; This procedure could result in the need for a pacemaker. We will just have to wait and see one day at a time.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I just want to see her beautiful blue eyes…and eventually that gorgeous smile that can light up a room.&nbsp; Everyone is hopeful that Katy will bounce back and make a full recovery… I am trying to latch on to the positive thoughts of those around me.&nbsp; I know that my girl is a fighter and she has THE BEST team possible working together to get her back to her sweet &amp; sassy self.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thank you for your calls, texts, emails etc.&nbsp; I am sorry if I haven’t responded…it’s just been too hard. Please know that they mean the world to Mike and I and hopefully one day Katy when she is old enough and I can share with her how she has touched the hearts of so many.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">&nbsp;</font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/AUi4E7M8rqM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com31http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/07/june-30-2014.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-17395290934629029382014-06-25T21:08:00.001-04:002014-06-25T21:08:05.026-04:00Ruling Things Out…<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Yesterdays trip to the Cath lab gave us some answers. We learned that Katy’s Coronary arteries are good.&nbsp; This is GREAT news…had they shown Coronary disease the answer would have been clear and we would be listing Katy for another heart transplant. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> So after they checked her coronaries they went in search of another reason for her tachycardia (high heart rate). The EPS (cardiac electrophysiology study) which is the study of the electrical piece of the heart showed that Katy’s Sinus Node which is the hearts natural pace maker it is what controls the heart rate… is the source of the issue.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We had hoped that there would be a “hot spot” in the heart that was causing the tachycardia, if that was the case they would have done an ablation to that spot and immediately fixing the fast heart rate. However, it was not the case and they looked high and low to find a spot other than the Sinus Node. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The current plan is to start Katy on a beta blocker to bring down her heart rate.&nbsp; If that does not work they will go back in and ablate the Sinus Node… however that is not as easy as if it was a “hot spot” since there is a chance they could zap it too much and cause a too slow heart rate which would result in Katy needing to have a pace maker placed.&nbsp; Basically it is a risky procedure which is why we hope we can treat with medication.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It takes time to find the correct dosage of beta blockers and we are looking at at least another week inpatient if not longer.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">A day in the the life at Boston Children's Hospital:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-791in_iZJ2Y/U6tyOGM5KxI/AAAAAAAAMV4/TY0Xq7fnB68/s1600-h/2014-06-23%25252011.00.19%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-23 11.00.19" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-23 11.00.19" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OXFjlt4ilgM/U6tyPgrDIHI/AAAAAAAAMV8/n3sDVHyeXUQ/2014-06-23%25252011.00.19_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Lots of i-spy books and laps with daddy! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HRc7aT0GhZ0/U6tyQfPzVEI/AAAAAAAAMWE/F3ov4VoFDaU/s1600-h/2014-06-23%25252011.00.46%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-23 11.00.46" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-23 11.00.46" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jdGmW60RfWc/U6tyRMTfIfI/AAAAAAAAMWM/bWV-hNaQUd4/2014-06-23%25252011.00.46_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l3U0assNljQ/U6tyR68qW5I/AAAAAAAAMWY/tVt1BjIAgSM/s1600-h/2014-06-23%25252011.01.24%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-23 11.01.24" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-23 11.01.24" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RR_WfFAYnsg/U6tySqmOYrI/AAAAAAAAMWg/T8q6_bEQy84/2014-06-23%25252011.01.24_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Lots of visits to Au Bon <strike>Puke </strike>Pan</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vemNsozk8yY/U6tyTWs5hLI/AAAAAAAAMWo/sqGqoShkocA/s1600-h/2014-06-23%25252011.01.58%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-23 11.01.58" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-23 11.01.58" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m8Y6QHbCFlE/U6tyUQQFNZI/AAAAAAAAMWs/ihyS-4OeALA/2014-06-23%25252011.01.58_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Me… I’m still growing a baby… 23 weeks and getting bigger by the <strike>day&nbsp; </strike>hour.</font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8BAa6JB6hKU/U6tyU42ST2I/AAAAAAAAMW4/UhM3hu_6Yl0/s1600-h/2014-06-23%25252011.03.35%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-23 11.03.35" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-23 11.03.35" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qGj9qyhuqPA/U6tyVs_bVdI/AAAAAAAAMW8/91EcFINoaLc/2014-06-23%25252011.03.35_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Perfecting our Uno Skills… Katy is a card shark!</font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4xcSSN_BZZ4/U6tyWdexdBI/AAAAAAAAMXE/46Ojzho0T9w/s1600-h/2014-06-23%25252018.48.02%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-23 18.48.02" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-23 18.48.02" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CxCVd-oI7nQ/U6tyXZB1t4I/AAAAAAAAMXQ/YbJ_d3U7hkU/2014-06-23%25252018.48.02_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Lots of time for mindless knitting</font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VjV8mnEDDmI/U6tyX7sfrqI/AAAAAAAAMXY/l0HfueSQ3AY/s1600-h/2014-06-24%25252017.35.02%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-24 17.35.02" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-24 17.35.02" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pD8IarVOlrs/U6tyYhictAI/AAAAAAAAMXg/z_arOpbBiY0/2014-06-24%25252017.35.02_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">and naps</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZRFfpxdMUxM/U6tyZXru6SI/AAAAAAAAMXo/N3qCKOI2x2U/s1600-h/2014-06-25%25252009.42.32%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-25 09.42.32" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-25 09.42.32" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JqDhZW_Xw-o/U6tyZ1yv0dI/AAAAAAAAMXs/KWy4WtjfrCs/2014-06-25%25252009.42.32_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for your love, prayers and kind words.&nbsp; They mean the world to us.&nbsp; Just another chapter in our journey. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">This face is worth it all…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-auaKvIKD4M0/U6tyaYD8vpI/AAAAAAAAMX4/2PqYbr8MFyo/s1600-h/2014-06-22%25252021.18.14%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-06-22 21.18.14" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-06-22 21.18.14" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6iFM45na_VQ/U6tybYgl3EI/AAAAAAAAMYA/IYDqBxu2RNY/2014-06-22%25252021.18.14_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Oh and bubba… he is having a blast! He spent most of the week with Justin, Tyna and all the boys and is now at Auntie Dars enjoying time with his cousins from Illinois…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X2muVLJOooA/U6tyb2SAi1I/AAAAAAAAMYI/NSrht5j0eaw/s1600-h/IMG_2117-1%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="IMG_2117-1 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2117-1 (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8Y0TSQ2G1Vw/U6tycnoFmKI/AAAAAAAAMYQ/PEJ2d5ykIZI/IMG_2117-1%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I miss him like crazy… but his smile makes my heart happy! </font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/FyR9bXYx10E" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com1http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/06/ruling-things-out.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-72749486231389530062014-06-21T19:30:00.001-04:002014-06-21T19:30:56.912-04:00Katy Girl Update<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">As most of you know Katy had her Cath on Thursday 6/19 and the results were pretty much what we expected… in that there was no real change.&nbsp; The heart is still stiff the pressures are still way to high and her heart is working much to hard.&nbsp; Her biopsy came back showing zero rejection and while normally I would be ecstatic with that I was really hoping that it would show rejection. Rejection, we can treat that and blame it for her high heart rate and stiff heart. The fact that the biopsy was clean means we need to run more tests and try to figure out if this heart is fixable or if we need to relist for transplant.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy was started on Milrionone and Dopamine in the Cath lab and sent up to the Cardiac ICU with a central line placed in her neck.&nbsp; ( needless to say she is uncomfortable and wants the line gone. however, it is the weekend and we are at the mercy of the PICC line team) Katy was given a blood transfusion and a few doses of IV Lasix… the plan for now is to dry her out and rest her heart (Milrionone) Early next week she will go back to the cath lab to check her coronary arteries and will also have a cardiac MRI unfortunately Katy is too sick to be under anesthesia for the length needed to perform both procedures so she will need to go under twice. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">All of this information will be used to make an educated decision on the best move forward.&nbsp; We have two options and it is a a 50/50&nbsp; chance on which way this will go. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">1. Is that the MRI shows that there is too much damage done to this heart from its repeated episodes of rejection and infection and it is unlikely it will recover and we need to relist. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">2. The Cath shows that Katy has Transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD) and we will relist </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">or 3.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Everything looks OK…meaning the MRI shows minimal damage to the heart and Katy does not have TCAD and in that case we wait and see and give this precious heart more time to heal. Which more than likely means long term Milrione. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">None of the options are ideal… obviously given the three choices I am hoping and praying for #3. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/mEangCbS4MA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com3http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/06/katy-girl-update.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-63491095452908382752014-06-17T22:06:00.001-04:002014-06-17T22:06:07.639-04:00I Hope You Dance<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Three years ago I was frantically calling local dance studios in March looking to find a studio that would allow Katy to join this late in the year.&nbsp; I needed her to experience dance… Katy was newly listed for transplant and I had this bucket list of things I needed her to experience… or more likely I needed to experience.&nbsp; I didn’t know what the future held… I just knew we had today.&nbsp; The first studio I called basically laughed at me… they didn’t understand the need for the experience I didn’t care if she was in the recital… I just wanted to see my baby girl in a tutu. I called another studio…and it was just the studio for us. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I called Catch the Funk and was lucky enough to get through to Miss Sharon the studio owner.&nbsp; I gave her the brief story of my girl… and with a crack in her voice as she spoke through the obvious lump in her throat as she was clearly moved by Katy’s story she said ABSOLUTELY!&nbsp; Don’t worry about anything… I have ballet slippers at the studio… just come.&nbsp; We’ll see if she likes it and go from there. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZC7WuLDgWHg/U6Dz5k-qKWI/AAAAAAAAMTw/g-tGdgQ-DLc/s1600-h/DSC_0146-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0146-1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0146-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VvfDfLt4V-Q/U6Dz6LAOLAI/AAAAAAAAMT4/4GT6abmZD_c/DSC_0146-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qdhlRve3wvk/U6Dz7YKG61I/AAAAAAAAMUA/_u7qaQyvV6s/s1600-h/DSC_0252-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0252-1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0252-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-51F2mhhSwEE/U6Dz72aRL7I/AAAAAAAAMUI/JgYYwy4Ph1I/DSC_0252-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R4xMZ69LJCw/U6Dz8Z54_HI/AAAAAAAAMUQ/Qa_zV1gxw2M/s1600-h/DSC_0225%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0225" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0225" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7pGG-hQt5Zg/U6Dz83O2N3I/AAAAAAAAMUU/QbL1BXbfEWk/DSC_0225_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="652" height="464"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The moment I met Sharon I knew she was an amazing person… She cried with me as we watched Katy girl smile a smile so big… it was then that I knew it was for Katy as much as it was for me.&nbsp; Katy LOVED and continues to love dance class.&nbsp; Miss Sharon, Miss Paula and Catch the Funk dance studio is such a safe fun place for Kate.&nbsp; Over the years the love and generosity they have given our family is more than I can ever repay.&nbsp; The warm smile that is always awaiting Katy is such a comfort for all of us.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy has been sick a lot of this year… and has had to miss a lot of dance.&nbsp; It’s always a disappointment when she is too sick or in the hospital on dance days.&nbsp; But with her hard work and the dedication of Miss Sharon she learned the dance for the recital and had her moment to shine.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cW70MgmLsag/U6Dz9ZjaaXI/AAAAAAAAMUg/2DeE_3poe5I/s1600-h/DSC_0060-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0060-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0060-001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0gMqKNM2Cc4/U6Dz-VEDufI/AAAAAAAAMUo/wM2BYC0_Z-E/DSC_0060-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YEqTjD-_dVM/U6Dz-1UqEyI/AAAAAAAAMUw/z8PeKXzeXLo/s1600-h/DSC_0060-002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0060-002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0060-002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mV1jXrWpr6Q/U6Dz_XiD92I/AAAAAAAAMU4/31f6gI4p4Cs/DSC_0060-002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AFHgLQ3WUeA/U6D0ABzYBfI/AAAAAAAAMVA/hfLDdtmwWzg/s1600-h/DSC_0085%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0085" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0085" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RzN3Lb6geN8/U6D0BHJ8bbI/AAAAAAAAMVI/AjLSMHyRswA/DSC_0085_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy LOVES being on stage…she just shines.&nbsp; Her smile is contagious and for that three minutes I am elated.&nbsp; The smile is stuck on my face for all of recital day.&nbsp; I cry… I laugh and most of all I am thankful that Katy has another opportunity to do what she loves. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">&nbsp;&nbsp; </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yk5EXIFQqEQ/U6D0BpZt3lI/AAAAAAAAMVQ/pA_ScLX8HUo/s1600-h/DSC_0137%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0137" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0137" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f4Lq8gFhA5w/U6D0CSl7-0I/AAAAAAAAMVY/sXiNobCS4-I/DSC_0137_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LQXM8mJLZHc/U6D0C-wsHkI/AAAAAAAAMVg/YgYISDTt604/s1600-h/DSC_0119%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0119" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0119" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oqe-wjQ7vAo/U6D0Dah9qpI/AAAAAAAAMVo/QRCJGag6DYs/DSC_0119_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">&nbsp;</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Looking forward to next year!! </font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/-sjKziJ43C0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com2http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/06/i-hope-you-dance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-22292707309365751322014-06-03T22:01:00.001-04:002014-06-03T22:01:16.454-04:00Our life in Pictures-May 2014<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Living this roller coaster ride we call life… I really need to blog in real time.&nbsp; I had this blog post brewing for a couple days… and life was happening, I had pictures that I needed to edit…and thoughts I wanted to gather. I wanted this to showcase a glimpse of our life not in crisis.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Unfortunately, life keeps happening and blog posts get pushed aside…and now I have to preface this look at our life in pictures with an update on Katy. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It’s been about a month since Katy was diagnosed&nbsp; with her latest bout of rejection…and the update today was not good.&nbsp; Katy’s echo today once again showed NO change in her heart function.&nbsp; Her heart is very stiff, her heart rate is dangerously high, and there is some evidence that her kidney function is not where it should be ( which could be a result of too much lasix, but could be a sign of heart failure) Currently, Kate is at her max for management via her current meds.&nbsp; In order to make some med changes she needs to have another cath/biopsy to check her pressures and her pulmonary function.&nbsp; Once we have that info the team can make some med changes in hopes of supporting this heart and getting it back to a happy place. Obviously, this is not the direction we wanted to head in… we all hoped to see improvement in her function by now. We are in a wait and see hold right now until we can get her in for a cath.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">June is a crazy busy month for us and Katy has a fun filled calendar of things she doesn’t want to miss.&nbsp; So we will be struggling with that balance of her health and quality of life… it is the hardest piece for me. I want so badly for Katy to just have a normal life… to not have to spend so many of her days in the hospital.&nbsp; I totally expected life to be easier post transplant… sadly it has not. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We still try and take it one day at a time and make the most of all our days when we are not stuck in the hospital.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We pack up and head the beach! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K1Y8Cpv3UDY/U459lwA3rqI/AAAAAAAAMQI/Yu3FOBLAAQ0/s1600-h/2014-05-26%25252011.30.53%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-05-26 11.30.53" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-05-26 11.30.53" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5xFDBEYDyUQ/U459m8DGx2I/AAAAAAAAMQM/tDPL7XHsJXA/2014-05-26%25252011.30.53_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b6TrB4WfRBo/U459nhARWvI/AAAAAAAAMQU/H62kNQCzhOE/s1600-h/2014-05-26%25252014.28.49%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-05-26 14.28.49" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-05-26 14.28.49" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HJRZJsVYE08/U459oa4NK9I/AAAAAAAAMQc/m3o1PWHixCE/2014-05-26%25252014.28.49_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GE4qHCGzFdo/U459o6u80AI/AAAAAAAAMQo/A-zrXesBI9s/s1600-h/2014-05-26%25252014.26.43%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-05-26 14.26.43" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-05-26 14.26.43" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-28j7fP49EAE/U459pk3fAyI/AAAAAAAAMQw/rYlFuDeoqIs/2014-05-26%25252014.26.43_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="731" height="555"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5sHFZa7Jk6o/U459qfbCV8I/AAAAAAAAMQ4/0loxiJQCa28/s1600-h/2014-05-26%25252014.53.28%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-05-26 14.53.28" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-05-26 14.53.28" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nPFVo-5p6Vs/U459rHiGK4I/AAAAAAAAMRA/C4sNYfghqnk/2014-05-26%25252014.53.28_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="732" height="556"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DqAQZ_8nPzc/U459rxNeEVI/AAAAAAAAMRI/a43gSbWlKUE/s1600-h/DSC_0256%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0256" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0256" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1fsmnAzI_Jo/U459s-y4FJI/AAAAAAAAMRM/VJs9Lh0FSqc/DSC_0256_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n9V1TZ3Sm_k/U459tldeDII/AAAAAAAAMRU/dI6o-f8YQ8I/s1600-h/DSC_0270%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0270" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0270" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FfRx5rFnWmc/U459uDmvGcI/AAAAAAAAMRg/wHdv2Lq7O40/DSC_0270_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--nyTG6Vq3_U/U459u59seWI/AAAAAAAAMRo/pGp7URH45tI/s1600-h/DSC_0309%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0309" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0309" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JZ_3x_1ixE0/U459vopebuI/AAAAAAAAMRs/zSy1_Cgi6z0/DSC_0309_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We spend time with cousins…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jl7GKswX9OA/U459wQ9UlZI/AAAAAAAAMR0/wBoftaJHYSw/s1600-h/DSC_0126%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0126" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0126" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pMTXxwh1Fio/U459xSL0IjI/AAAAAAAAMR8/o5UfN59JRbM/DSC_0126_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y6v66-e0fnA/U459yBVFQlI/AAAAAAAAMSI/ZAYCOaWl9Rg/s1600-h/DSC_0061-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0061-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0061-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FujEQ0bv2HE/U459ywIMskI/AAAAAAAAMSQ/3TApKlsyqqI/DSC_0061-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aCfREsXTD00/U459zlj1BdI/AAAAAAAAMSU/O4rP43LojCA/s1600-h/DSC_0075%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0075" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0075" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZmjOKp4_Y5A/U4590CoIDlI/AAAAAAAAMSc/u3mHUZPG5oU/DSC_0075_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mg04BKObCgw/U4590hpn2lI/AAAAAAAAMSk/SxXqwCgU4oE/s1600-h/DSC_0077%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0077" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eXfndYrpPcE/U4591soDvgI/AAAAAAAAMSs/cO5pfDi5WOs/DSC_0077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lj9SpC8Aq_0/U4592RHzVlI/AAAAAAAAMS0/OQSb8j3CRcA/s1600-h/DSC_0083%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0083" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0083" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nr4H1PNBcdQ/U4593FYid9I/AAAAAAAAMTA/xkAt2BTT3N8/DSC_0083_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--F1JC46h6Q0/U4594MlGhmI/AAAAAAAAMTE/fQYmVVEsVeE/s1600-h/DSC_0088%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0088" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0088" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TIg8fUd-L1E/U4594g2jjBI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/JS8_8NmW8T4/DSC_0088_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vFWuqbJRVO0/U4595jLxIAI/AAAAAAAAMTY/s6kOKmX_6Hg/s1600-h/DSC_0103%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0103" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0103" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KyqiZ7d1a-Q/U4596pLIzZI/AAAAAAAAMTc/Al3X3QQxGQc/DSC_0103_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I expect that June will be a trying month… I also know that we will do all we can to take advantage of our time together! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/pEkI5VbWsAg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com1http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/06/our-life-in-pictures-may-2014.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-18624834760345564682014-05-16T20:26:00.001-04:002014-05-16T20:26:46.728-04:0015 Months<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy received her gift of life 15 months ago. 15 precious months… that by <strike>all </strike> most accounts via social media and this blog have been happy fabulous days filled with many firsts and many days to be thankful for.&nbsp; Of course you have read and prayed over the updates that haven’t been so great…and we have gotten through those bumps that we knew were apart of this new journey.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">But, in an effort to protect <em>you, and myself.</em>&nbsp; Those prayer requests and updates that were not full of sunshine were very much sugar coated… I made it look like no big deal… just a little hiccup and I drowned those not so positive updates… with tons of pictures of our little girl rocking life with her new heart.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The reality is for the last 15 months our baby girl has been fighting for her life… harder than she ever did with her old heart. Katy’s cardiologist said… for the last 15 months Katy has been trying to die.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> I disagree… Katy’s heart/body may have been trying to die… but Katy, Katy has been fighting to live. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The doctor’s words stung. They still sting. But she speaks the truth.&nbsp; Katy has had so many complications since her heart transplant.&nbsp; Complications we were told <em>could</em> happen, but usually don’t and according to the team they never see a child have this many complications of both rejection and infection, and so severe at that, and nobody knows why. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">For the first time in all of this… and all of Kate’s life.&nbsp; I am afraid she may die. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">She is not bouncing back in typical Katy fashion. Her echo today showed no change… well that’s not very comforting. There is still a gallop when you listen to her heart. Her heart rate is down… but no big surprise since we are giving her a med to do that for her… I would be surprised to hear if it wasn’t down, and her weight is back up. Usually I can take all that medical stuff and stop and look at Katy and as long as Katy looks well and is doing clinically well… I can pacify myself… well when I look at Katy I see a girl that is white as a ghost… has puffy face… a belly that is distended and low energy…not very comforting.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mike and I are looking at Katy and giving each other <em>the look</em>… the look that tells the other she just isn’t right. All the while telling ourselves and each other that maybe she is tired she was up at 530 for clinic… she just got out of the hospital… that her heart was very sick and maybe she needs to relax.&nbsp; All the while wondering if we are making excuses. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Please continue to pray for Katy’s healing. Please pray that the team can pinpoint what is the problem and why Katy is not responding as expected to the meds and treatment.&nbsp; Please pray for peace for this mama who is scared out of her mind.&nbsp; Pray that Mike and I can find a balance and rely on our gut to continue to help guide us in caring for our precious girl. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/fWnnq_LDCi0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com12http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/05/15-months.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-29307521991005300522014-05-10T22:39:00.001-04:002014-05-10T22:39:48.953-04:00Katy Rejection Take 2 May 2014<p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><em>Synopsis:</em> </font></font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4">Well the last 10 days have been exhausting, scary and emotionally draining for all 4 Murphy’s.&nbsp; <em>Thankfully Murphy #5 is safe and happy on the inside.</em></font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Really the last 15 months have been exhausting, scary and emotionally draining, that said hasn’t Katy’s entire life been exhausting, scary and emotionally draining?&nbsp; It has been 6 plus years of worry, it has also been the best 6 years of our lives…and when we are not exhausted, scared and emotionally drained we are loving life with our miracle girl, and her pretty awesome little brother. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy is currently dealing with acute Grade 3 rejection. </font></p> <p><a href="http://www.cts.usc.edu/ht-pg-rejection.html"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">What is rejection?</font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">There are two types of rejection Cellular and Humoral and it appears Katy is presenting symptoms of both.&nbsp; Therefore they need to treat for both. I mean this little girl of mine…she is always keeping the team on their toes.&nbsp; It is not common that a transplant recipient would be dealing with acute rejection not once but twice in such a short period of time.&nbsp; This in addition to the multiple infections Katy has dealt with… (CMV, EBV and the horrible blood infection she had to name a few) are all HUGE and put a great deal of stress on her new heart.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy is being treated with high doses of steroids and also we added in IVIG treatments. Steroids to treat Humoral rejection and IVIG to treat Cellular.&nbsp; Thankfully Katy has had a very quick response to the steroids and we have already seen increased function via echo.&nbsp; However all of that is while her heart is still be very much supported with Milrinone and IV Lasix the true test will be when she is weaned from the Milrinone. </font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><em>Day to Day Play by Play ( as much as I can remember)</em> </font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Tuesday April 29th </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy had a field trip at school.&nbsp; It was cold and a bit drizzly on our walk.&nbsp; Katy didn’t seem all that thrilled and a bit more tired than usual.&nbsp; However, we weren’t worried give that this was her second day back to school since she had her tonsils out last month.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Wednesday April 30th</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy had a great day at school.&nbsp; Came home and was tired.&nbsp; Said she was too tired to go to dance. Fell asleep on the couch.&nbsp; Woke up with a belly ache was hungry had some soup and vomited.&nbsp; Spent the afternoon early evening on the couch complaining her belly hurt.&nbsp; Woke up at 7pm and appeared puffy. Puffy (fluid retention and vomiting reason to call the team) Called the team decided we should head in just to be safe… Mike and Katy head to the ER. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Initial labs come back fine… no infection at this time I am thinking it is rejection.&nbsp; Weight is significantly increased from 2 weeks ago… chest x-ray confirms Katy has fluid on board. IV Lasix is started and it is decided she will be admitted.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thursday May 1st </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy’s echo is horrible… the team is very surprised at how poor her function is and how much has changed since her Echo 2 weeks ago. Katy needs to go to the cath lab to have a biopsy ASAP.&nbsp; Katy is very unstable and everyone is on edge ( except for Katy) She had some funky beats in her EKG that has put everyone on high alert.&nbsp; Katy’s heart is very sick and she is at an extremely high risk of cardiac arrest. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy is so fragile that it is decided that they will not intubate her for the Cath.&nbsp; She is sedated. She will be admitted to the CICU after biopsy. While in the cath lab the team has a chance to see just how sick Katy is… without the biopsy results the decision is to treat aggressively her Grade 3 rejection.&nbsp; She is started on Milrinone and high doses of Lasix and diuril… the hope is to let her heart rest.&nbsp; Dr. Blume prepared us of the possibility that Katy may need Ecmo to help give her heart a break.&nbsp; Hearing the word Ecmo is devastating to both Mike and I. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thankfully in her true ROCK STAR fashion…Katy holds her own and we avoid Ecmo.&nbsp; Katy has a quiet night. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Friday May 2nd. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Long day for us and Miss Katy....lines in...lines out. Steroids are making our sweet sometimes a bit sassy baby girl... A completely out of control monster.<br>Unfortunately the preliminary results of the biopsy didn't provide a lot of information. They weren’t good samples...so the team does not feel that they (the samples) in terms of grade of rejection can accurately put a number on rejection. The thought is based on her poor function via echo... Her high heart rate and her troublesome EKG we can assume it is a grade 3 rejection.<br>The plan is to keep trying to get the extra fluid off... Keep the milrinone on board to help support her sick heart and pray that it works continue with the super steroids.</font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Saturday May 3rd. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I thought the roid rage was rough yesterday!&nbsp; Katy had me in tears today.&nbsp; It breaks my heart to see my poor girl so miserable.&nbsp; I miss my sweet and smiley lovey. The hospital gave us two tickets to the Red Sox game today and I am so excited for Mike and Patrick to have a great day together. Working towards getting moved to the floor today.&nbsp; I think being out the the ICU will help improve Katy’s mood.&nbsp; </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We made it to the floor! Patrick and daddy had fun at the game and I am finally seeing Patrick I have missed him so much.&nbsp; Patrick and I are headed to the hotel for a sleep over… ( I am OK leaving the hospital, knowing I am in the building next door) </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Sunday May 4th.</font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It’s amazing what a hot shower and a good nights sleep can do for a person.&nbsp; Spent the day together up and riding bikes… Katy appears to have turned the corner.&nbsp; THANK YOU GOD! </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Monday May 5th </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">It's a good morning! It appears Katy has turned the corner. She woke up at 5am ready to start her day with a smile on her face...some pink color on her cheeks...and a hungry belly. She spent most of the night peeing...which is great since we need to get that fluid off... And her face is back to normal. I suspect that her echo will show much improvement.</font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Echo does show improvement however the team is still being very cautious and has no plans to wean her Milrionone.&nbsp; This is very discouraging to me.&nbsp; We really need to be cautious and baby this heart.&nbsp; I expect this admission and recovery to be much slower then usual. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Tuesday May 6th </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Today Katy started her 1st dose of IVIG treatment. It looks like Katy also received a singular dose of IVIG during her last bout with rejection over the summer. I was wrong thinking this was her first dose.&nbsp; It is unknown at this time if we will continue on with a long term treatment plan of IVIG. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Still no talk of lowering her Milrionone.&nbsp; </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Wednesday May 7th</font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The decision was made at rounds to lower Kate’s Milrinone to 5.0 down from 7.5. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy &amp; Patrick had a great day today! Lots of laps on the bikes and games in the play room.&nbsp; Katy is definitely back to her old self. Patrick has spent a lot of time at the hospital this admission.&nbsp; He is that much older and mature that he can handle the long days. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">To be continued… </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Wanted to share what I have now… will update.</font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp; <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp; <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/Cfcfn1mSg0Y" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com2http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/05/katy-rejection-take-2-may-2014.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-28248681083431058552014-04-24T20:29:00.001-04:002014-04-24T20:29:15.140-04:0014 Weeks Baby #3<p><b><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></b>&nbsp; <p><b><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sIzxAAK8taI/U1msTSgJTxI/AAAAAAAAMPY/_BrUlMToYnk/s1600-h/DSC_0497%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0497" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9eEfGK9iUkY/U1msUEtSJYI/AAAAAAAAMPg/8UKDhX7TwEM/DSC_0497_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="434"></font></a></b> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>How far along:</b> 14 weeks. </font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>How big is baby:</b> Baby is just over 3 1/2 inches and comparable to the size of a lemon. </font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>Weight gain/loss:</b> No gain/no loss. Holding my own.&nbsp; I imagine now that I am in the second trimester and I am able to hold down some of what I eat.&nbsp; I will see a gain.</font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>Stretch marks:</b> So many from K &amp; P… I have no idea if there are any new ones <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_x1mvqPGuj4/U1msU76tiCI/AAAAAAAAMPo/D39EohwmHfg/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>Sleep:</b>&nbsp; UGH! Sleep is already hard and has been from the start.&nbsp; No big surprise since I had to give up my long love affair with Ambien… But, I have been napping which makes night time sleep harder… I also always get restless leg syndrome (or what feels like RLS)&nbsp; when pregnant…this pregnancy is no different.&nbsp; </font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>Cravings/Aversions:</b> I crave carbs and fruit… I can not get enough fruit ( Cantaloupe and grapes are my current faves but I eat them all) I am also craving fountain Coke… I gave up soda prior to my weight loss surgery and I honestly thought I would never have it again… well lets just say it tastes as good as it did pre surgery and if you bring me a coke from McDonalds I will love you forever. </font></font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">No real aversions… I never know what will end up being an issue.</font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>Movement:</b> I think I have felt some flutters…</font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>What I'm loving:</b> I'm loving how quickly Katy and Patrick have come around to having a new baby.&nbsp; Patrick even kisses my tummy goodnight.&nbsp; Katy loves picking out things for baby. </font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>Symptoms:</b> Well, I had a pretty typical first tri: constant nausea, absolute exhaustion. Second tri has started out a bit easier less vomiting… a little more energy. </font></font> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><b>What I'm looking forward to:</b> I am looking forward to enjoying this spring weather… and hoping the nesting instinct kicks in sooner than later.</font></font></p> <p><br><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><strong>Best moment of the week:</strong> Easter fun with the family! </font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bF9Mh5NLnkM/U1msVZXU-SI/AAAAAAAAMPw/VKoirIyEShI/s1600-h/DSC_0522%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0522" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0522" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sp1nYTpr0BQ/U1msWKpjPUI/AAAAAAAAMP4/dcVt6CpUgkM/DSC_0522_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="772"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/hJOvlWTmQgk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com1http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/04/14-weeks-baby-3.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-53480451884829087042014-03-30T21:52:00.001-04:002014-03-30T21:52:23.692-04:00Simple Tonsillectomy….<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy made a heart transplant look like a cake walk, however a simple Tonsillectomy caused my girl to need a crash cart.&nbsp; I know I should always be prepared for Katy to react in true Katy fashion.&nbsp; But, I have to say I did not expect what unfolded in the PACU on Friday afternoon. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy was scheduled for a tonsillectomy due to her enlarged tonsils that resulted from her viral infection back in February that caused her to go septic. Transplant patients are at risk for EBV =The Epstein Barr Virus better known as Mono.&nbsp; This is one of the most common viruses that most of the population has.&nbsp; However due to Katy’s compromised immune system due to her anti reaction medications she is unable to fight this virus and left untreated can lead to PTLD which is also known as Transplant Cancer and usually is fatal.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Of all the complications that one can have post transplant (and Katy has had most of them) you never want to hear PTLD Lymphoma.&nbsp; We heard those words and I nearly died… I could NOT believe that we were facing that diagnosis… and we weren’t YET.&nbsp; But the EBV virus lives in her tonsils and they needed to be removed ASAP and would be sent for biopsy. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I hope that clarifies that this was not just a routine elective surgery… this was completely necessary and needed to be done ASAP.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The morning of the surgery the surgeon decided that it made sense to add an adenoidectomy… due to Katy’s snoring etc. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The surgery took less than 45 mins and we were back with Katy who was feisty and demanding apple juice. She was given Tylenol and morphine for pain.&nbsp; The morphine made her sleepy and her sats were dipping so she was put on blow by to keep her sats up.&nbsp; After about an hour Katy became bright red and extremely sweaty…no fever.&nbsp; Sats were now dipping while on blow by. Our nurses demeanor changed and I knew something was up. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The attending from anesthesia was called and could not get Katy to respond…he immediately called a Code Blue Respiratory&nbsp; arrest on our baby girl and everything became a blur as they were bagging my girl and yelling out meds Nitric Oxide and I am not sure what else… all in an effort to wake Katy up.&nbsp; I am sorry to say… but I lost my shit and was rocking in a corner of the PACU praying…begging and pleading with God not to take my baby. I really thought that Katy was gone… I didn’t and I don’t know how this tiny little 35lb baby can keep bouncing back… how she can keep fighting. But she did and I heard her scream from across the room.&nbsp; Once again our prayers were answered.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">WHAT happened and WHY? Well it seems that it was most likely the perfect storm.&nbsp;&nbsp; The combination of the dose of Morphine with the residual meds used in Anesthesia during surgery and Katy’s uvula was HUGE from swelling which was blocking her airway.&nbsp; Katy was retaining Co2 her blood gasses showed her Co2 was 160 and it should be in the 40’s. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy was given meds to help with the swelling in her throat and was put on Bipap… and we prayed that would work and she would not need to be intubated. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">We were then admitted to the CICU and Katy woke up again and wanted the mask off… we took it off her sats were holding well on blowby…until she fell asleep and then she had a few episodes when she would dip into the low 70’s… her airway was blocked again and she was not moving air. She was put back on Bipap until early Sat morning 5AM when she was wide awake and held her own all day even while napping after being given a dose of oxycodone. She woke up and was eating (chicken Fingers… cheese its) and drinking.&nbsp; We said we were ready to leave and the team agreed. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Friday Code Blue… Saturday home! That is how Katy rolls.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/wbfF5lQ8yxs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com1http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/03/simple-tonsillectomy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-2044890991487029732014-03-12T21:46:00.001-04:002014-03-12T21:46:47.221-04:00Lots of Catch Up<p><font face="Century Gothic">I have been spending most of my free time crafting.&nbsp; My goal is to be up to date when the new baby comes.&nbsp; Since I have yet to scrapbook Patrick’s first year… it’s safe to say I have a lot to do.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zdt2g_ZjkMo/UyENslrOSLI/AAAAAAAAMKc/u5bekDS9Dyg/s1600-h/DSC_0213%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0213" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; 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border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0230" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sD4iQekWWrc/UyEN_Hi14nI/AAAAAAAAMOk/yAigbuX7LXE/DSC_0230_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5E0hCm1FqZc/UyEN_hsLObI/AAAAAAAAMOs/PIJtNtA7HUo/s1600-h/DSC_0231%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0231" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0231" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WYnQnX5hRb8/UyEOAYtAFkI/AAAAAAAAMOw/IfAKYNiA0xU/DSC_0231_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5SZgcWgJj-4/UyEOA8iAKPI/AAAAAAAAMO8/lRNeyq8B2eI/s1600-h/DSC_0232%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0232" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0232" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-quiddfJdPiA/UyEOBS5xx-I/AAAAAAAAMPE/_q5X6jkBEQY/DSC_0232_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/N14eEMy36zg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com2http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/03/lots-of-catch-up.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-89008768560192948392014-03-12T21:37:00.001-04:002014-03-12T21:37:47.009-04:00Party of Five<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iHTRqgwbvCk/UyEL4nWjKYI/AAAAAAAAMJ4/azG2AfEz2tM/s1600-h/DSC_0073%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0073" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0073" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tNXj6Fkwhlc/UyEL5FKXhBI/AAAAAAAAMKA/HhMBUcPjVMQ/DSC_0073_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Py3JxGmC97Y/UyEL54Mz2wI/AAAAAAAAMKI/lUdRFs4ERBk/s1600-h/DSC_0077%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0077" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0077" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-89IXfYCKDhE/UyEL6SWLJ4I/AAAAAAAAMKQ/lGABsqlBOEI/DSC_0077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">An unexpected blessing is due to arrive just in time for Halloween.&nbsp; I never would have imagined that I would be pregnant again.&nbsp; We are all very excited, and anxious to see what this precious babe will be.&nbsp; Our little tie breaker. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Right now I am 9 weeks pregnant and although it’s a bit early to share… I have had an ultrasound and by baby #3 your body makes it difficult to hide a pregnancy.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Other than being ridiculously tired… I don’t remember being this tired with either Kate or Patrick and my fair share of all day sickness I am feeling good. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/z5iVHPTw670" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com3http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/03/party-of-five.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-9890052620607788552014-02-26T23:11:00.001-05:002014-02-27T10:04:53.701-05:00Through Thick and Thin<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mike and I do almost everything together.&nbsp; We <em>are </em>that obnoxious couple that really enjoy being together.&nbsp; How else would this whole work from home schedule work.&nbsp; We really struggle when we are apart.&nbsp; Is it healthy? eh, I don’t know but it works for us.&nbsp; I still like to go out with the girls… and Mike who is a bit more of a homebody likes to veg out or have the guys over for a game of poker. </font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="Century Gothic">We are most successful when we are working together.&nbsp; No matter what we are doing… cleaning the house. You know that deep clean CRAP we have a huge party tomorrow and it looks like we are 1 month away from the Hoarders crew showing up on our door step.&nbsp; We are great advocates for Katy… hello Milrinone at home for 6 months.&nbsp; Mike keeps me from making Patrick a complete mamas boy and I ensure that we avoid bloody noses in an effort to <em>man him up.</em></font></font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="Century Gothic">You know what else Mike and I like to do together… eat! Mike is a great cook and I love to stock the house with yummy snacks and our favorite ice creams. And we share that unconditional love for one another so when the pounds start creeping on neither one says anything to the other… until one of us, usually me says HOLY CRAP I am not buying another size up pants WE NEED TO start Weight Watchers <em>again… and use that gym membership that is pulled from our account each month. </em></font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So that we do… and we have a healthy competition… until I get pissed that he is loosing way more, way quicker than me and I sit down with a pint of Ben &amp; Jerry’s and Mike brings the spoons. The circle goes on and on and the weight we lost comes back and brings 5lbs with it.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> Finally I get so disgusted with myself I tell Mike I think we should go and listen to what they have to say at the Weight Loss Surgical Information Night… that I am ready.&nbsp; I need to do this.&nbsp; I can’t live in this skin any longer.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mike comes with me as a supportive husband and cheerleader… thinks the program sounds great and is considering it himself. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Finally the time is right… Katy had a heart transplant and I felt I could take the time needed for me to have this surgery.&nbsp; I had the </font><a href="http://emersonhospital.org/en/MedServicesAndCenters/Centers/Weight/FAQs/SleeveGastrectomy.aspx"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Gastric Sleeve</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> on May 2nd 2013. This is the first time I have publically shared.&nbsp; I have told most everyone in real life and I will tell anyone that point blank asked.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The reason I chose not to share this piece of my otherwise open book life is simple.&nbsp; Every one has an opinion or an experience and I really didn’t want to hear it.&nbsp; Trust me I heard enough of it in “real” life.&nbsp; This was not a decision I made or we made lightly… this is not the easy way out and anyone who thinks that, is foolish.&nbsp; This is a tool. A tool that I felt as a 32 year old mom with two young children and high blood pressure and knees that felt like those of a 62 year old was a tool I needed. This was not done in vein ( I have carried to babies… there will be no bikinis in my future… again I am 32 years old… your welcome! My opinion is I don’t care how good you look if you are over 30 time to retire your bikini. But, I digress….</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The thing is everyone knows someone who knows someone that had weight loss surgery (no, they don’t know which one they had) but it was horrible she was sick all the time and then she gained it all back plus 50 lbs.&nbsp; Well, I am sorry that happened… but if you don’t use this as a tool and you eat a 1/2 of a cheesecake and god knows what else at Christmas yeah I can imagine you aren’t going to be very successful. To me this kind of talk is like telling someone recently diagnosed with cancer to not bother with chemo because it didn’t work for their cousin twice removed.&nbsp; I mean that totally sucks that chemo wasn’t successful for your loved one but it is very effective for so many others.&nbsp; The bottom line is I don’t remember asking for your opinion so your mother was right… if you don’t have anything nice to say…SHUT IT! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So obviously… my surgery was a success I am still here running my mouth.&nbsp; I have lost a total of 78 lbs. I have gone from a size 18 to a size 8.&nbsp; I feel so much better… I am off of my blood pressure medicine… my knees no longer ache… I have energy.&nbsp; I am comfortable in my own body. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Mike had 8 months to see my transformation and my struggles its not all roses and size 8 jeans! He decided it was still for him.&nbsp; He wanted to go through with it… for him he sees it as a life and death answer and with the many medical issues he was facing his decision to do this probably added another 15 years to his life! Mike had the Gastric Sleeve yesterday and is doing fantastic… I see where Katy gets her ROCK STAR patient status from.&nbsp; Today when we went to visit… I told him I was so proud of him and I am glad he is doing so well and he said he had to do it and looked down at Katy and said I have little ones I need to be around for.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I am excited for Mike’s recovery and for us to start exercising together and finding our new way on this new journey to a healthy &amp; happy life. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Sorry for being so cryptic and for anyone who was worried about Mike.&nbsp; All is well. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/Wr6flv827D0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com7http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/02/through-thick-and-thin.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-22249884317035402792014-02-25T19:23:00.001-05:002014-02-25T19:23:45.797-05:001st Annual Biopsy<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">With our 1 year celebration came the BIG 1 year biopsy.&nbsp; Katy has had many caths, MRIs and biopsies of her heart post transplant, actually more than we had originally planned on due unfortunately due to her first year being a bit bumpy. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Since having grade 3 rejection over the summer she has yet to have a completely zero rejection biopsy.&nbsp; There was always a little something lingering forcing the scientist to grade it at a level 1 rejection.&nbsp; Forcing the team to keep those antirejection meds just a bit higher than they want them to be always putting Katy as risk for infection and causing her to have to fight more than her fear share of illnesses due to her increased decreased immune system. I hope that made sense. We really needed Katy to show zero rejection so we can work on lowering her level of antirejection meds which will increase her immune system and help her body better fight these common illnesses that keep taking her down.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font face="Century Gothic"><font size="4"><em>As a note for any heart transplant families who are reading or have read Katy’s journey… it is important to note.&nbsp; That Katy is Katy and nothing about her case or her recovery has been by the book.&nbsp; It is highly unlikely that you or your child would or will endure what Katy has in her 1st year post transplant.&nbsp; For a patient to get CMV, Grade 3 rejection, a blood infection, and the numerous other things that have gone wrong is highly unlikely. That said and given all that Kay has endured and all the readmissions and close calls. Transplant was still the best treatment for Kate and we are thankful each and every day (even the days when we are fighting a mysterious illness) for the gift of life that our donor family gave Katy and our family.&nbsp; The team talks to us and worries about us because things haven’t been as smooth as they had hoped and haven’t been as planned.&nbsp; Mike and I don’t even realize what they are talking about… we expected bumps in the road and this is 100% better than the alternative.&nbsp; I do my best to keep it real here on this blog and that means you get the good with the bad.&nbsp; I just never want to scare or have anyone second guess their choice based on our experience.&nbsp; Everyone’s experience is different.&nbsp; Some harder some easier all different.</em> </font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">OK back to that annual biopsy.&nbsp; Going into this yesterday 2/24/13 I felt we had a lot riding on it.&nbsp; I needed a BIG FAT ZERO! I needed to know that the hardest part was behind us… that we would be finally start weaning some of these meds that we should have already weaned… I needed to know that the bout with Grade 3 rejection didn’t damage her coronaries.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I am happy to say… we got that BIG FAT ZERO!! Katy’s coronaries are perfect! Her pressures are perfect and we are starting to wean some meds! For the first time in her life… Katy is off of Lasix!! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">She was a Rock Star... post cath.&nbsp; They had to go in through her groin vs. her neck which means she has to lay completely flat for 6 hours. <strong> 6 HOURS</strong> she did it without <strong>too</strong> much complaining. I tell you that girl she never stops amazing me. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TWZVEmFIIGs/Uw0z_3vEZrI/AAAAAAAAMIw/4QDLt7n0uMY/s1600-h/2014-02-24%25252007.45.01%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-02-24 07.45.01" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-02-24 07.45.01" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sQeb8ziFkI0/Uw00AsVzxfI/AAAAAAAAMI4/iqCN_CAW4vo/2014-02-24%25252007.45.01_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1ssjYcohLbQ/Uw00BCacnNI/AAAAAAAAMJA/mfTwkIi9Z5c/s1600-h/2014-02-24%25252007.45.03%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-02-24 07.45.03" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-02-24 07.45.03" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ctcP3OjbhcI/Uw00B9qzT2I/AAAAAAAAMJI/rjx3VfoNqTs/2014-02-24%25252007.45.03_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h6xVJkZ-A9A/Uw00Ca5oa7I/AAAAAAAAMJQ/tICUw56ZXAs/s1600-h/2014-02-24%25252008.02.13%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-02-24 08.02.13" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-02-24 08.02.13" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pc3WXQAggfI/Uw00C9eBqXI/AAAAAAAAMJY/TOgRiHnHvPE/2014-02-24%25252008.02.13_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3pUFWIIRTRI/Uw00DYKrdrI/AAAAAAAAMJg/xP3id_VAogk/s1600-h/2014-02-24%25252008.02.21%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="2014-02-24 08.02.21 (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2014-02-24 08.02.21 (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ogih8NkhSFw/Uw00DxB-LaI/AAAAAAAAMJo/Bw7GNOIwIuw/2014-02-24%25252008.02.21%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/X6DHbwNFKkQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com2http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/02/1st-annual-biopsy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-5391048396716697082014-02-12T22:37:00.001-05:002014-02-12T22:37:30.349-05:00Happy Heart Anniversary Katy Girl<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">One year ago today…our sweet baby girl received the most precious gift, a new healthy heart. I am often overcome with emotion when I think of that day.&nbsp; I still can’t believe that we were so lucky to be blessed with a new lease on life for Katy ( and our entire family) </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">My heart still aches each and every time I think of our brave,benevolent donor family.&nbsp; I can only imagine the heartache they are facing on the anniversary of their precious child’s death.&nbsp; I can only hope that they can find comfort in knowing that their child lives on in Katy.&nbsp; Mike and I will never be able to properly express our gratitude to them<strong> </strong> although we will certainty try.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">One year ago… I was writing a blog post and I honestly believed that Katy wouldn’t be here in six months if she didn’t receive a heart.&nbsp; I was preparing for the worst… I had given up hope and was preparing for what our life would be like without the most amazing, funny beautiful girl I have ever known.&nbsp; Oddly enough Mike never let his mind go there he always believed she would get the perfect heart.&nbsp; Odd that we were living the same life and fully expecting different outcomes yet neither knew what the other was planning for. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I would be lying if I said everything has been roses and Katy got her heart and life went back to normal.&nbsp; Because this first year has been hard.&nbsp; Waiting was definitely harder… but post transplant life has been a hard adjustment on many levels.&nbsp; The first being this whole idea that we are going to go back to <em>normal</em>. What is normal?&nbsp; What are we going back to?&nbsp; As parents, as a family this is the only <em>normal </em>we have known. We aren’t going back to normal… we have to find a new normal.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> A new normal while we struggle with a lot of the other parts of life that made up our old normal.&nbsp; Still lots of meds way more than pre transplant, doctors appointments, much more frequent than pre transplant, heart caths monthly, much more often than pre transplant. Medically in Katy’s case life after transplant was actually more intense than pre transplant. All the while trying to find this new normal.&nbsp; School and schedules, extra curricular activities… throw in Katy’s bout with CMV and Grade 3 rejection…and our new normal is feeling a lot like our old normal.&nbsp; Except it’s harder to vent and it’s harder to ask for help because we got the greatest gift in the world and we should be all set.&nbsp; But we weren’t and some days like last week when Katy was unexpectedly admitted for 5 days with a horrible infection we needed our village. We are always going to need our village.&nbsp; Katy’s heart transplant was not a cure it was and is a band aid.&nbsp; Every time Katy gets sick she is SICK and at risk of dying. A simple cold a a bout with strep can kill my child. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">That is our reality, that is our normal. But, that does not make us or Katy who she is or define how we live our lives. We will not live in fear… we will be cautious but Katy will go to school. Katy will play soccer. Katy will dance as long as Katy wants to dance.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy’s new heart has given us hope… hope that Katy will get to do the many things. Things I honestly never thought she would live long enough to experience.&nbsp; I can now allow myself to picture her in a prom dress… and think of her packing up and going to college.&nbsp; These are things I could never allow myself to think of that… it hurt to much. It represented everything that I believed would never be. I can now daydream about those things.&nbsp; One of the questions we asked in the early days post transplant days was can she be a mom now?! We were told to focus on Kindergarten…but FYI a heart transplant recipient&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">To see Katy out on the soccer field 13 weeks post transplant… words can not describe the happiness my own heart felt.&nbsp; Seeing her running around with her friends and climbing the hill to go sledding.&nbsp; These are all things she would not be able to do without her precious heart.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Although the fight goes on…and the post transplant life isn’t exactly as dreamy as I had hoped.&nbsp; We definitely traded one illness for another.&nbsp; The difference being one was fatal and now we are dealing with a chronic illness.&nbsp; We fully expect the second year post transplant to get easier. Can’t wait to see what is in store for Katy and her Rock Star heart in 2014.&nbsp; Thank you to everyone who has been there for the highs and lows.&nbsp; We love you and can’t imagine our lives without you.&nbsp; </font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/3PxvTnowa1M" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com3http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-heart-anniversary-katy-girl.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-41564344730019025252014-02-02T22:51:00.001-05:002014-02-02T22:51:42.631-05:00If it wasn’t for bad Luck…<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">we would have NO luck! My goodness I tell you! The luck of the Irish… skipped us and all we are stuck with is Murphy’s F#$%ing law.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Seriously as much as I hate the Flu… and as much as I hate the “It’s viral” diagnosis.&nbsp; I would have welcomed either one of them yesterday. But, nope! This is Katy and she does not get something as simple as the Flu. Oh, no Go big or go home… or in this case earn yourself a weeks stay in the hospital.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So unbeknownst to me at the time of my last blog post and my previous facebook updates.&nbsp; The big concern was that Katy was at risk of going septic based on her high white blood count, her high fever and her high heart rate in the 160s even in the 170s for a bit even once her fever broke.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The labs drawn on Friday grew bacteremia (bacteria in the blood) from the strep family…source unknown.&nbsp; They are treating it with a super IV antibiotic&nbsp; to try and cover whatever it may be.&nbsp; Once they can zero in on what it is they will consult with infectious disease to see if there is an oral antibiotic so that we can go home.&nbsp; The good news is… she has bounced back JUST as quick as this nasty bug took her down.&nbsp; She is no longer on precautions ( no flu) so she is back to ruling 8 East.&nbsp; The labs that they took on Saturday didn’t grow anything as of today so that tells us that the antibiotics are working, but you can tell that by looking at her. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jY10htBydwQ/Uu8SRelCUjI/AAAAAAAAMII/0mE_WfoqROM/s1600-h/IMG_0800%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="IMG_0800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0800" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e08YVVepxOI/Uu8SSHzQv6I/AAAAAAAAMIQ/dCFwYs52pCc/IMG_0800_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="580" height="772"></font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-746_zexTfo0/Uu8SSnDAogI/AAAAAAAAMIY/yM36zDa90xg/s1600-h/IMG_0863%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="IMG_0863" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0863" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EGrJPurHF8g/Uu8STGvI2yI/AAAAAAAAMIc/fo2N3VkZuec/IMG_0863_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I was missing bubba something fierce and he was really disappointed when I said we weren’t going to Auntie Dar’s Super Bowl Party.&nbsp; So Mike and I decided it would be good for him (and me) if I left and picked him up and went there for a bit.&nbsp; He was so happy when I surprised him with that and I even got an “You’re the best mommy ever” </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">However, leaving Katy is never easy and you would think by now I could handle it but the moment the elevator door closes I burst in to tears.&nbsp; I hate leaving her.&nbsp; I know she is having a blast with daddy and it is important that she have time with daddy and Patrick have time with me…. but it is horrible.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So hopefully we will have some news tomorrow and a plan that we can all live in.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/6D2CWg2yTf4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/02/if-it-wasnt-for-bad-luck.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-47450312695000684062014-01-31T22:02:00.001-05:002014-02-02T22:27:31.730-05:00Ka Ka Ka Katy!<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Your timing is impeccable. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iNZ5npufKmE/Uuxj0ylk7FI/AAAAAAAAMHw/ruRooz4C6wU/s1600-h/1655410_10151964530567639_1721235154_o%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="1655410_10151964530567639_1721235154_o" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1655410_10151964530567639_1721235154_o" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R7Xf2P1Svw0/Uuxj1byzmFI/AAAAAAAAMH0/6z3jY2yCvjs/1655410_10151964530567639_1721235154_o_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="482"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">You wanted to kick off HEART month right here on the cardiac floor of Childrens Hospital.&nbsp; Seriously?! I am thinking we all could have sported a red shirt tomorrow and it would have been enough… but not Kate… remember she is the one who got her heart transplant on February 13 2013 ( yes almost a YEAR ago) in honor of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness although she was certain not to have to share the day with Valentine’s Day. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Anyway a quick recap.&nbsp; Oh you know life was going too well for us! So life threw us a curve ball… just to make sure we were awake… we are and we are bunting that ball.&nbsp; ( OK I have no idea where the baseball metaphor came from I blame it on my longing for Spring and the fact the Red Sox pitchers and catchers report in 15 DAYS!) </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy has had a runny nose (clear but runny sometimes stuffy) I call it the plague of Kindergarten.&nbsp; We took her to the pediatrician on Wednesday to ensure that her previous ear infections had cleared completely.&nbsp; The reason for this visit was that we had noticed that she was having an extremely difficult time hearing us and <em>no it was not just selective hearing.</em>&nbsp;&nbsp; Pediatrician said that she still had fluid but no infection and everything else seemed fine. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Went to school on Thursday, school nurse called at 1pm to report that Katy’s gym teacher said that she seemed a bit “off” and was rather pale and that she took her 02 sats and they were 99 but that Katy didn’t seem like herself.&nbsp; Mike went to pick her up and the moment they walked in the door I knew something was up.&nbsp; Katy was extremely lethargic and felt as though she was on fire.&nbsp; She immediately fell asleep the moment she laid down on the couch.&nbsp; I took her temp and it was 103.7.&nbsp; Gave her Tylenol and let her rest.&nbsp; She woke up around 5pm and was hungry had a little dinner and then asked to go to bed.&nbsp; Retook her temp at 6pm right back up gave more Tylenol.&nbsp; Decided to have her sleep in my bed so I could keep an eye on her and give her Tylenol around the clock if needed.&nbsp; She needed and had another dose at 130 and although she was mouth breathing she sounded good from a respiratory point so I wasn’t too worried at this point.&nbsp; But when I woke up at 530 to Mike taking her temp and another 103.4 reading I thought we should call… Mike thought we should wait until 7 and we did and the team said head in and we did…smack dab in rush hour traffic.&nbsp; We dropped Patrick off at school and Katy and I slept as Mike navigated his way to the hospital.&nbsp; One plus is that post heart transplant and a 104 fever fast tracks you through the ER.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Blood Draw – Typical white blood count etc. CMV… regular labs for levels etc. ect. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Nose Swab- Possible Flu I highly doubt it.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Wait for results before we make a plan </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Results come back her White Blood Cell is extremely high so something is brewing question is, is it viral or bacterial? or the Flu waiting for transplant attending to decide what they want to do (at this point I know we are being admitted and I try to gently break the news to Katy) </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Yup we are admitted to start IV antibiotics… IV was a traumatic event for all involved most especially Kate and it looked like an episode of Dexter when they were done I mean really. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Finally up to the floor… gorgeous suite on the new wing. YAY for small things. Best part the kitchen isn’t locked so I don’t have to bother the busy nurses every hour when I need ICE! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Up here tell the story for the umpteenth time Mike goes to get Patrick to bring to my mom and George! (Thank you mom and George don’t know what we would do without you! love you!)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy loses said IV and nurse and I squabble over putting another one in… needless to say Kate doesn’t have an IV in as of right now.&nbsp; We can deal with that in the morning when it is actually needed for the meds.&nbsp; Pokes cause her so much stress and anxiety and I was not putting her through that <em>again</em>&nbsp; after the miserable time they have had today. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Echo was good… lungs look and sound good… heart sounds good.&nbsp; My guess viral and we will go home on Sunday feeling good as new! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Thanks for the love and prayers your texts and messages on FB are much appreciated and bring me peace at the end of a day like today.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">XOXO</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">&nbsp; </font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/CWIVZQmhlYY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com1http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/01/ka-ka-ka-katy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-67422932826522844712014-01-29T23:56:00.001-05:002014-01-30T09:54:56.535-05:00Balance<p>I find myself trying to find balance both in the figuratively and literal sense of the word. It seems it has been a great topic of conversation within myself.&nbsp; Oddly enough Real Simple Magazine had many great articles on the very thing I was struggling with. The entire issue was related to Balance. Finding it physically, mentally and emotionally.&nbsp; It was the first magazine I read from cover to cover… it was as though it was written to me for me. <br></p> <p>I have so much I want to do… my to do list is a mile long and I am often intimidated by it which often truth be told has led me to be detracted by something else.</p> <p>So how do we balance it all… How can I be the PTA Mom, the loving mommy with home baked cookies, the mommy not begging her husband to take Katy to labs so I can sleep in.&nbsp; The wife who can stay up past 11PM to cuddle up and watch a movie with my husband… and cook a dinner that may require more than a microwave.&nbsp; Add to that time to exercise and do the things that I want to do… I am left with a HUGE to do list and at the end of the day which leaves me frustrated and annoyed and wondering what the heck did I do with my day.&nbsp; </p> <p>So instead of ending my day on that note… as I have for every single night for as long as I can remember I am going to end it with a <strong>What did I do today?</strong>&nbsp; Maybe it didn’t get crossed off my to do list but I am pretty certain I did something with the 14 hours I have been up for. </p> <p>1. I made Patrick lunch (3 times) man that boy can eat. </p> <p>2 I played a game of Candy land and won </p> <p>3 I listed unwanted craft supplies for sale both gaining our family money and space'</p> <p>4. I talked to my mama</p> <p>5 I organized our cookie orders and prepared for delivery day</p> <p>6. Organized my scrap desk </p> <p>7. Worked on getting the ball rolling on some changes for this very blog space. </p> <p>8. Printed and practiced Sight Words with K &amp; P </p> <p>So yeah on any other day I would have thought I was a lazy sloutch… after looking at what I did today! Maybe I did bake homemade cookies and maybe I am writing this as Mike sits across from me staring at the ipad… but we are together in the same room.&nbsp; I am feeling OK…and tomorrow is another day! </p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/rscyKSN1_bU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/01/balance.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-59469378112829968062014-01-19T15:18:00.001-05:002014-01-19T15:35:54.340-05:00Happy 5th Birthday Patrick Michael<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Happy Birthday My Beautiful Boy</font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Patrick how is it that you are five years old! Time is flying by faster than I could have ever imagined. It seems like yesterday that I was holding you in my arms for the first time after 15.5 hours of labor and a threat of a c-section. I fell in love with you the second I laid eyes on you, and continue to fall more in love with you every day. </font> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m2CacVU5SiM/Utwyz13IkZI/AAAAAAABWQQ/8mK2WRT8lzk/s1600-h/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-5%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Patrick is Born 1-19-5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Patrick is Born 1-19-5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iPWdgF2kn5s/Utwy0y0BWAI/AAAAAAABWQc/-zr_JhZurFo/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RkCUhxt4JRE/Utwy19AXB-I/AAAAAAABWQ0/d65hraAVsro/s1600-h/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-6%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Patrick is Born 1-19-6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Patrick is Born 1-19-6" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H0sbQtU2BuM/Utwy3gAJ4kI/AAAAAAABWRM/u8982QNTYs0/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jCf9hJQnolU/Utwy5YwEMFI/AAAAAAABWRc/s1HFkzTQrKA/s1600-h/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Patrick is Born 1-19-010" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Patrick is Born 1-19-010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-birlV4HyYVk/Utwy6Q80IgI/AAAAAAABWRs/x0fzYF3jX_k/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="428"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o9lDDsvIk14/Utwy7hc7oqI/AAAAAAABWSA/lQLmBEoIl0Q/s1600-h/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-29%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Patrick is Born 1-19-29" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Patrick is Born 1-19-29" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u_6E-ZHLIYg/Utwy83X9h_I/AAAAAAABWSc/GQfpTpmZwrg/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-29_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2gm7y39Ah-o/Utwy-ElRwrI/AAAAAAABWSw/q4vyOoq8FXQ/s1600-h/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-37%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Patrick is Born 1-19-37" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Patrick is Born 1-19-37" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5UBvczTQcM8/Utwy_hzoZII/AAAAAAABWTE/X3oscCaP3I8/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-37_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gOhXuEEHdGY/UtwzA-5ZVyI/AAAAAAABWTY/6iUKtY4Rqlc/s1600-h/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-39%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Patrick is Born 1-19-39" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Patrick is Born 1-19-39" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s6fmXWmq2ws/UtwzCOJyCLI/AAAAAAABWTw/5ATG3Hiv8SI/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-39_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B-oRZ1gRXXQ/UtwzDkvDMlI/AAAAAAABWUE/_fhtBUtgilo/s1600-h/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-41%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Patrick is Born 1-19-41" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Patrick is Born 1-19-41" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZcvMAYZFWrc/UtwzFLL07aI/AAAAAAABWUU/l070_hE9N0g/Patrick%252520is%252520Born%2525201-19-41_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></font></a> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">The past five years have been a whirlwind and I find myself fighting to embrace every moment with every part of me because it&nbsp; is going by too fast. You astonish me with your enthusiasm, spirit, energy, and just plain awesomeness. I could not be more proud of the little man you are becoming.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">&nbsp;</font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6RpyKcW2zes/Utw2adG0dgI/AAAAAAABW0o/dbXSg6_Uu0w/s1600-h/DSC_0105%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0105" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0105" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3ZrY_2dA_pg/Utw2b7gwFRI/AAAAAAABW1A/8j7QhIyk8Ik/DSC_0105_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8qzwwwk0xzA/Utw2dmQWfqI/AAAAAAABW1I/1iBAmJT4L4w/s1600-h/DSC_0159-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0159-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0159-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UgF3pSg-d3Q/Utw2evS_naI/AAAAAAABW1Y/2NNat9_OMwM/DSC_0159-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Over the past five years, I have watched you grow into an amazing bright and inquisitive child. You amaze daddy and I every day. You have learned basic addition and subtraction, you can recognize approximately twenty sight words you can do puzzles with ease. All this before even entering Kindergarten. You love to learn and are constantly trying to figure out why things work the way they do. I love listening to you explain a new word… today it was avalanche, or how something works.&nbsp; You are always analyzing. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">You have a magnificent sense of humor, your timing is impeccable. Your favorite books at the moment, The Magic Tree House Series, although we still have a love for Froggy books at bedtime and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. You have a love for technology. Every chance you get, you are downloading apps onto your ipads.</font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">You are sensitive and sweet. You are so kind and caring and especially aware of Katy and her special heart.&nbsp; You are so helpful to Daddy and I always willing to help with cleaning up or making dinner.&nbsp; You are just an all around great kid.&nbsp; You are loved by many, this world is a better place because you are in it. </font> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gxz5l9km1YI/Utw2fnBynQI/AAAAAAABW1s/N-l4z-uGP4s/s1600-h/DSC_0301-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0301-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0301-001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gyMGAmyrZAQ/Utw2g_G40tI/AAAAAAABW14/cKTTSngqvkg/DSC_0301-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4P0y7Fe2Gmo/Utw2ieO-MrI/AAAAAAABW2A/L9r9itZCiO0/s1600-h/DSC_0311-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0311-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0311-001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K5Z2wO9n280/Utw2jTMDZAI/AAAAAAABW2I/yfjUAtv-bVM/DSC_0311-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429"></font></a> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Daddy and I are so blessed we have the opportunity to be your parents. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I love you most and more. </font> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp; <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp; <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp; <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/VSFQx6tC7vU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieenoreply@blogger.com1http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-5th-birthday-patrick-michael.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-10097462199774417712014-01-13T10:52:00.000-05:002014-01-14T10:54:20.478-05:00Hello Monday<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">“Hello Monday is where I greet the new week with an open heart and a fresh perspective. It’s a new beginning–and there’s so much to be thankful for!” inspired by </font><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/blog/category/hello-monday"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Lisa Leonard</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello writers block. Hello looking for ways to keep my commitment to myself and better document our days on this blog. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello cold morning walks to the bus stop.&nbsp; Usually Mike does bus duty… today it was me felt nice to have a brisk early morning walk. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello quite albeit a bit <em>messy</em> house…after a fun weekend.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to a fun weekend with cousins.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_rGaw2VUlgI/UtVdVX0Ig3I/AAAAAAABPgU/12VPyc14U0g/s1600-h/DSC_00265.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0026" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qbWrIRm4Pts/UtVdXISUz3I/AAAAAAABPgc/4Hr8KTDsDGQ/DSC_0026_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="665" height="450"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to creative dress up play.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JdVQ53eoLVM/UtVdYi3YuoI/AAAAAAABPgk/khqEGVRYKus/s1600-h/DSC_0029.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VG3E6786C44/UtVdZtBqktI/AAAAAAABPgs/OYwLJUZSsFg/DSC_0029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wxzx6uuK3Uc/UtVda7iiGxI/AAAAAAABPg0/A6IzZhuyqwA/s1600-h/DSC_0035.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0035" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CIl0TgivmfY/UtVdbyjXmoI/AAAAAAABPg8/950qAzCY1vI/DSC_0035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0tx7YHq4FVU/UtVddIoxBlI/AAAAAAABPhE/ulamJn--l4c/s1600-h/DSC_0042.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0042" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0042" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jXwj76xlhfg/UtVdeCc8HdI/AAAAAAABPhM/_lXsBMdr-VI/DSC_0042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="484"></font></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A-AmVRPN83o/UtVdfCLXVCI/AAAAAAABPhU/4QHQLvBHsMg/s1600-h/DSC_0048.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0048" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0048" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JefhwokYdu0/UtVdgeo3dsI/AAAAAAABPhc/-UqBPECUhYM/DSC_0048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to yummy wine. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mx8ioBvW3c0/UtVdhVr_M3I/AAAAAAABPhk/31-gyLfez5A/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252814%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="photo (14)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo (14)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--v-K7VwAcbQ/UtVdiQYiziI/AAAAAAABPhs/UDOhMxQ_VQU/photo%252520%25252814%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font>&nbsp;</p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to Patriots and the guys watching the game.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JvR6URtYMNc/UtVdjasjyZI/AAAAAAABPh0/CG_8TTD2vuo/s1600-h/DSC_00164.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0016" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d3wNg0W0rKk/UtVdkl1y5cI/AAAAAAABPh8/vb1JiWumC1I/DSC_0016_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to cousin snuggles.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xjit8WHqlTQ/UtVdlpIjCjI/AAAAAAABPiE/LmlSrqIWeNs/s1600-h/DSC_0057%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0057" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0057" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WWYqPJM1h7Y/UtVdm0MJV1I/AAAAAAABPiM/1kWiAT4uISc/DSC_0057_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to </font><a href="http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/01/shameless-season-4-premiere-recap-lip-and-ian-are-gone-the-gallaghers-fight-on.html"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Shameless</font></a><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"> Season 4!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to getting back to scrapbooking and catching up on our books. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3EqXMMWm4kw/UtVdoX2lsXI/AAAAAAABPiU/qzEXPNsP9pI/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252813%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="photo (13)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo (13)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ieo9g-7-fmQ/UtVdqQL2AoI/AAAAAAABPic/h76QFImACqw/photo%252520%25252813%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Hello to a brand new week. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/hX7NWIgoPwA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieenoreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2014/01/hello-monday.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-41447226023559283222013-12-31T23:38:00.001-05:002013-12-31T23:38:29.367-05:00Farewell 2013…<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">2013 you have been so good to us… I <em>almost </em>hate to see you go.&nbsp; This year was without a doubt one of the very best… I mean how can I say it was anything else… it was the year our baby girl got a second chance at life.&nbsp; This year was a game changer for our family in many ways.&nbsp; That doesn’t mean that it was without its share of heartache and stress… we had plenty of that… but there was always that underlying happiness… that feeling that our prayers had been answered and that the only place to go was up.&nbsp; Of course it was not all smooth sailing, but given what we have faced in years past everything feels manageable.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Our Year In Pictures:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hsBkuSbuHjw/UsObTj9zkWI/AAAAAAAAGnc/Vv5QCz4TUL8/s1600-h/DSC_0008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0008" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wTFFvlz46Uo/UsObUUFIXvI/AAAAAAAAGnk/hcJPDnyTlq0/DSC_0008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tiJK-LOeCas/UsObVXv1QnI/AAAAAAAAGno/FO4J811q5ow/s1600-h/DSC_0016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3d3Bdwz4BuU/UsObV7q3ESI/AAAAAAAAGnw/EEtY-J1cQbk/DSC_0016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3EEqA9v5tRQ/UsObW2n3pHI/AAAAAAAAGn8/HvjLLKHsqY8/s1600-h/DSC_0057%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0057" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0057" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dSGwXr5Nx_k/UsObXWMUegI/AAAAAAAAGoA/aScO3IcdHBU/DSC_0057_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZSIoWLLz0Eg/UsObYIZiU0I/AAAAAAAAGoM/bLTUqpQvOBA/s1600-h/DSC_0005-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0005-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0005-001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sDUakZSNFJk/UsObY7WIWWI/AAAAAAAAGoQ/i0YisQzk8i4/DSC_0005-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <sup>1 day post transplant February 14th</sup></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-95XxbqnA0LY/UsObZdSaB8I/AAAAAAAAGoY/AuqQL1xIxJI/s1600-h/0213131447-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="0213131447-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0213131447-001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-imn4RR7ISm0/UsObZyEvgJI/AAAAAAAAGog/N7Z1Du7V4wY/0213131447-001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yMXncfNpyMQ/UsObaUwuz2I/AAAAAAAAGoo/TXoCMwkGzOw/s1600-h/DSC_0065%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0065" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0065" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SJaQpyHIHxU/UsObbMM3vhI/AAAAAAAAGow/y2w8nd31tN8/DSC_0065_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-STpNq6ZD8IA/UsObb9SQfyI/AAAAAAAAGo8/RYGWL5HT3XE/s1600-h/1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qn9FCq_V6cU/UsObchgwX_I/AAAAAAAAGpA/nHyTPE-_ajM/1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fvn3zVzMexY/UsObdWeIsII/AAAAAAAAGpI/2jeY3K5tWkQ/s1600-h/DSC_0109%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0109" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0109" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v2j2p_B0bCk/UsObePXQmhI/AAAAAAAAGpU/sRfT99dbfPA/DSC_0109_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bnZL9JXTvjM/UsObfSG5R3I/AAAAAAAAGpc/wZYvVHmwb5c/s1600-h/DSC_0215%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0215" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0215" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GmasuEGoU7E/UsObgSCY50I/AAAAAAAAGpg/x5rsMMVJHd0/DSC_0215_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <sup>Patrick’s first time on skis!</sup></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yOTE7decxT0/UsObg5MV8MI/AAAAAAAAGps/wGRg-ycGlY8/s1600-h/DSC_0029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FVymsjuQCVI/UsObh48c-qI/AAAAAAAAGpw/ycd_91nta1o/DSC_0029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <sup>I think this may be my most favorite picture of 2013</sup></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kz03DX4Qboo/UsObiXg-SNI/AAAAAAAAGp8/4wF_hS5etL4/s1600-h/DSC_0262%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0262" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0262" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o2iJcCrl2Dw/UsObjLa2kqI/AAAAAAAAGqA/Eaa1ZxIMAWs/DSC_0262_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oBAhtzYR9tM/UsObkCYVoyI/AAAAAAAAGqI/gIQRg73HngE/s1600-h/DSC_0348-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0348-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0348-001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-63ClaMhGQ-k/UsObkkPajFI/AAAAAAAAGqQ/5N-QdkMfaz4/DSC_0348-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SwylioiOrT8/UsOblP4tCBI/AAAAAAAAGqY/cb8Zc-iHP4A/s1600-h/DSC_0791%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0791" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0791" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kptIPrj3Sjw/UsOblyN5UwI/AAAAAAAAGqg/nr6lhpPBxEQ/DSC_0791_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wyCUVBTGWsg/UsObmTd7fSI/AAAAAAAAGqs/uxiCFePlAnc/s1600-h/DSC_0846%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0846" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0846" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5oI0YRQXlBU/UsObm13rdjI/AAAAAAAAGq0/0jvBVb2RXSc/DSC_0846_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3JjuvkKszi8/UsObnsrYLuI/AAAAAAAAGq4/Wp0p3-fx2fo/s1600-h/1176201_10151528180392703_1027723872_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1176201_10151528180392703_1027723872_n" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1176201_10151528180392703_1027723872_n" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v20PYtB-AGo/UsOboCCAN8I/AAAAAAAAGrE/INbVkqoOdKc/1176201_10151528180392703_1027723872_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2SFjRn9a7b8/UsObpBqHlCI/AAAAAAAAGrM/HEuBHqjIkxc/s1600-h/DSC_0403%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0403" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0403" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-plNywtvJAK8/UsObpubdzQI/AAAAAAAAGrQ/cQRtTLK-gTc/DSC_0403_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3af3KAStxsU/UsObqWApLTI/AAAAAAAAGrc/7mQMpseuedM/s1600-h/1031131859_edited-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1031131859_edited-1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1031131859_edited-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NaWkrNB6ZDg/UsObrVDCOAI/AAAAAAAAGrk/5TB0u-WwlSw/1031131859_edited-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jRLAA0xnmeo/UsObsOSijYI/AAAAAAAAGro/31KrVZ8PZJw/s1600-h/DSC_0020%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0020" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0020" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Uy5_5pxarqk/UsObsysf-II/AAAAAAAAGrs/w18fONDyY7g/DSC_0020_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aA5fIpHnuEw/UsObttxf5nI/AAAAAAAAGr8/t1ERQ1Zawlk/s1600-h/DSC_0033%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0033" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0033" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PAml8jMYOIU/UsObuTQC8FI/AAAAAAAAGsA/beO4NN-VA0Q/DSC_0033_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5gAxDSXO0Kg/UsObu9SBtQI/AAAAAAAAGsM/XkPcSJwOj3g/s1600-h/DSC_0283%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0283" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0283" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u8w1SFvE-GM/UsObvroBLMI/AAAAAAAAGsQ/foKuuSGt7Fk/DSC_0283_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NBluiCssKJY/UsObwQjtkQI/AAAAAAAAGsY/TkBrOjOFiQc/s1600-h/DSC_0140-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0140-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0140-001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JNg5XdJgO1I/UsObwxquifI/AAAAAAAAGsg/xZXAzNA__Fg/DSC_0140-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">2013 was a year of change in many aspects.&nbsp; It brought new schedules, routines, and fears…some things stayed the same but mostly we embraced a lot of change.&nbsp; We realized who and what was important.&nbsp; We made those things a priority and eliminated the rest.&nbsp; I stopped stressing the small things and really started loving and living life again.&nbsp; We gained a new sense of normalcy.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I am excited and hopeful that 2014 will continue to bring us new opportunities, good health and fun!! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">I’m off to pop some champagne…and kiss my love at midnight!</font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/GhLmcF52RUk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieenoreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2013/12/farewell-2013.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-60824062119238483842013-12-30T23:05:00.001-05:002013-12-30T23:06:17.023-05:00test<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/japXdxxa4vs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieenoreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2013/12/couple-vlog.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-65730301781871690002013-12-28T00:30:00.001-05:002013-12-28T00:30:48.240-05:0089fcdbb10dbc5348727fef743675ac77fe72d35744a1f617c9<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/vLCWszs_VEc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02351596263284773109noreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2013/12/blog-post.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-61509641413437541272013-12-28T00:11:00.001-05:002013-12-28T00:11:04.591-05:00A Snapshot of our Christmas<p>Our Christmas was lovely! Absolutely lovely.&nbsp; Mike’s request was to stay home this Christmas.&nbsp; No running around from place to place.&nbsp; Which truth be told made me a little sad.&nbsp; Sometimes the unknown and a break in tradition can be stressful.&nbsp; When in actuality it was nothing but perfection.&nbsp; </p> <p>Some of our favorites! </p> <p>Gifts:</p> <p>Our favorite gifts in 2013</p> <p>Patrick:&nbsp; Batman Lego 2 Xbox game</p> <p>Kathryn:&nbsp; Tough decisions… toss up between the Barbie Dream House and the Crayola Jewelry kit</p> <p>Me:&nbsp; my new lens for my camera 18-135 Loving it so far</p> <p>Mike:&nbsp; I asked him 3 times I am not sure he give me a final answer.&nbsp; He is pretty pumped about his New Stephen King book… but I think the new knife set may be the winner. </p> <p>Some of our favorite moments:</p> <p>Patrick: Logan and Mason and Connor playing</p> <p>Katy: Uncle Cousin Johnny Boy Coming</p> <p>Mike:&nbsp; My wife being happy and having a great day.</p> <p>Me:&nbsp; Hosting our First Christmas.&nbsp; It was so lovely being home and surrounded by family.&nbsp; Pure happiness. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fj4ZRIsf8m8/Ur4VOotcqkI/AAAAAAAAGjg/ao6xwkwA-Fw/s1600-h/DSC_0140%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0140" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XPh0-m-xSqM/Ur4VPCXcgVI/AAAAAAAAGjk/IertYf1U4VM/DSC_0140_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-19PdJE50848/Ur4VPvyAc6I/AAAAAAAAGjw/xgKSA4SVxjE/s1600-h/DSC_0170%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0170" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L_LvkUoJv2c/Ur4VVkCzg9I/AAAAAAAAGj4/fs-NA94aR8M/DSC_0170_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QgzcC0TXXbA/Ur4VWcGcnaI/AAAAAAAAGkA/T1OenxP9zWI/s1600-h/DSC_0283%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0283" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0283" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ardEKBlwdn4/Ur4VYExOJqI/AAAAAAAAGkE/dv5VxHpNnEk/DSC_0283_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DKApQfl2Zs8/Ur4VZHDH1PI/AAAAAAAAGkM/uTcL7_b2xIY/s1600-h/DSC_0287%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0287" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0287" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NCw6oifzkHU/Ur4VbdWUgaI/AAAAAAAAGkQ/o32NSduKdr0/DSC_0287_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u5QDGKQNK5A/Ur4Vb-1hHSI/AAAAAAAAGkY/z4x3gbq2mzM/s1600-h/DSC_0301-002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0301-002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0301-002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_xaC4WE-XKk/Ur5dNMBlabI/AAAAAAAAGks/uk8xGQPnIcE/DSC_0301-002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OlANOPd-ijI/Ur5dNkDUuUI/AAAAAAAAGk0/LaX81rwBGgs/s1600-h/DSC_0310%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0310" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0310" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wnWaiCqJ230/Ur5dOQQOb-I/AAAAAAAAGk4/6nhHaPgRSkE/DSC_0310_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0-LMNzWEYJ8/Ur5dO1d-UII/AAAAAAAAGlA/bCENcLWp9R4/s1600-h/DSC_0317%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0317" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0317" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SAK2VSOMzFQ/Ur5dP5yt6NI/AAAAAAAAGlM/qYxecoaxolo/DSC_0317_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="432"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xuRQHLucka8/Ur5dQf5p1hI/AAAAAAAAGlU/C15axT1zpp0/s1600-h/DSC_0322%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0322" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0322" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KNqv--xbRLE/Ur5dQxlfpRI/AAAAAAAAGlY/XwhRT2wTL1s/DSC_0322_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bRmF9qBs7jo/Ur5dRghnJ5I/AAAAAAAAGlk/meTtolyQQbw/s1600-h/DSC_0381%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0381" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-35rt1PUe81E/Ur5dSW57-0I/AAAAAAAAGls/U7l9PP0WO5s/DSC_0381_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jo8472GJ9F0/Ur5dTCO0kBI/AAAAAAAAGl0/35dHpTnFGJM/s1600-h/DSC_0392-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0392-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0392-001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ng3t05_aOMI/Ur5dTya-ZUI/AAAAAAAAGl4/zGllUM_WkJk/DSC_0392-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RJmRvSw1-3s/Ur5dUfAkLII/AAAAAAAAGmE/9T4VKDkDoog/s1600-h/DSC_0422%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0422" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0422" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-61KhqpiSbsY/Ur5dVDoiNQI/AAAAAAAAGmI/DJCsM89eS2k/DSC_0422_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="484"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BldeXjfr7Y8/Ur5dVtRFmDI/AAAAAAAAGmU/hQrcRSD8RJQ/s1600-h/DSC_0434%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0434" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0434" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qAaHNFn_3Sk/Ur5dWc40T2I/AAAAAAAAGmY/KZpYOEv6oc0/DSC_0434_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wzu09HzojbQ/Ur5dW1puBXI/AAAAAAAAGmk/RNX8JcSxRYA/s1600-h/DSC_0444%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0444" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0444" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YIQxbsku7fk/Ur5dXT7OawI/AAAAAAAAGmo/USryTYHOaVM/DSC_0444_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="431"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j6z0XwzwTaE/Ur5dX51mxII/AAAAAAAAGmw/K3yT9pNltnA/s1600-h/DSC_0468%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0468" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0468" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AiXekHTWnbk/Ur5dYQhDgGI/AAAAAAAAGm4/7wxSyKfSEbw/DSC_0468_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="461"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zNRUta-RQ0Q/Ur5dY4WF9bI/AAAAAAAAGnE/NSwEi5ecNAE/s1600-h/DSC_0493%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0493" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0493" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q0sfYKcMN-g/Ur5dZ_MzdAI/AAAAAAAAGnM/v5LHRSqmoc0/DSC_0493_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="484"></a></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/peia5JcYccg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieenoreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-snapshot-of-our-christmas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7989439718661069957.post-82628182662504793062013-12-19T22:16:00.001-05:002013-12-19T22:16:26.146-05:00Goodbye 5…Hellooooo 6!<p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">That has been what Katy has been telling me all week.&nbsp; Partly to tease me…she knows I want her to stay my baby forever and partly because she is super excited it’s her birthday! Birthdays are exciting! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">No, I have no idea how we went from this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iGCl4JKVn9A/UrO2W8mGT3I/AAAAAAAAGg0/TA5guBKPK_U/s1600-h/Easter%252520Outfits-066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Easter Outfits-066" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Easter Outfits-066" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oSoe7LyVBpM/UrO2XgBFajI/AAAAAAAAGg8/N2DHZEZ0uwI/Easter%252520Outfits-066_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="536"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">to this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RFUFJ3dPcs4/UrO2YXX3LBI/AAAAAAAAGhE/KcA6Hnbv27M/s1600-h/Playground%2525203-14-39%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Playground 3-14-39" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Playground 3-14-39" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5N4s-af-IU0/UrO2ZCtgULI/AAAAAAAAGhI/GAo7dY-zowM/Playground%2525203-14-39_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="536"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">to this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F_-W_vLBOb8/UrO2Z_iUWTI/AAAAAAAAGhU/_ydeCK0jyZM/s1600-h/DSC_0114%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0114" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0114" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cdHw6HkiEHQ/UrO2admgIGI/AAAAAAAAGhc/5Cka9HLB8M0/DSC_0114_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="385" height="598"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">to this:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ni_OgHLFFfA/UrO2a51uwAI/AAAAAAAAGhg/1uJfIthYD5A/s1600-h/DSC_0228%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0228" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0228" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-32GlherpMls/UrO2btX0W9I/AAAAAAAAGho/83_u_cQEL0A/DSC_0228_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="603"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">To This:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lJH2c4xrfjI/UrO2cfxiiVI/AAAAAAAAGhw/7uI-vwGTqas/s1600-h/DSC_0107%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0107" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0107" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eeWaTo9IcEs/UrO2c1OYa_I/AAAAAAAAGh8/KNCSfMYaXkg/DSC_0107_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="392" height="604"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">To This:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--z8cpMTU8o4/UrO2dqOhjmI/AAAAAAAAGiE/F73i8uENJHg/s1600-h/DSC_0452-001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0452-001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0452-001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HOXu8wt7TVo/UrO2eAyQgFI/AAAAAAAAGiI/kuGcyo5Gco4/DSC_0452-001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="600"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy is nothing short of a miracle… but she is so much more.&nbsp; She is smart, and funny. She is kind. She has a great sense of humor.&nbsp; She is pretty easy going. She is so creative… she loves to create.&nbsp; Which makes this mama very happy! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy has been through more in her six years of life than most of us adults have and yet has a beautiful smile on her face each and every day.&nbsp; She LOVES school.&nbsp; She LOVES dance.&nbsp; She is working on beginning reading and it is just amazing to hear her vocabulary explode each day.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Katy may seem a bit reserved at first glance, but once you get to know her you quickly realize she is anything but.&nbsp; </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">As I sit here typing this… I just kissed my baby girl goodnight for the last time as a five year old.&nbsp; Of course like most moms I sometimes wish time would stand still.&nbsp; I often think what I wouldn’t give to go back and have just one day with this little sweetie:</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VU-WmX2JUdQ/UrO2ej84S6I/AAAAAAAAGiU/9_hbBD54yhc/s1600-h/Yellow%252520Spring%252520Coat-14%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="Yellow Spring Coat-14" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Yellow Spring Coat-14" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iBAwMGrGcZw/UrO2fe1h0HI/AAAAAAAAGiY/2KJepMHpAsw/Yellow%252520Spring%252520Coat-14_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="712" height="556"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">But then I wouldn’t have my funny, sassy side kick! </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rCIkxHHi-WQ/UrO2fy2ROKI/AAAAAAAAGik/ai9TQ9UT57U/s1600-h/IMG_0094%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="IMG_0094" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0094" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DSz0fVf4Z04/UrO2gmwPr8I/AAAAAAAAGis/Q1oCYvu78ew/IMG_0094_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">Of course we can’t celebrate this milestone without thinking of Katy’s donor.&nbsp; Because I am pretty certain that without that amazing generous gift…our girl wouldn’t be here for us to sing Happy Birthday to tomorrow.&nbsp; I still can’t even believe that just a year ago… that was such a real possibility.&nbsp; I really believed that last year was going to be Katy’s last birthday.&nbsp; Now I am confident that because of this amazing gift we will have lots of Happy Birthdays with our sweet baby girl.&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qDiigU3BgM4/UrO2hnu_kDI/AAAAAAAAGiw/SOoCaye9ySs/s1600-h/DSC_0087%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Century Gothic"><img title="DSC_0087" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0087" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4afz6MHqqO0/UrO2iDgETsI/AAAAAAAAGi4/JHlsU1gCi_A/DSC_0087_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="484"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Century Gothic">So excited to see what this next year brings for our sweet girl! </font></p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheMurphyFamily/~4/mPCkvNTQC4w" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Amieenoreply@blogger.com0http://murphy216.blogspot.com/2013/12/goodbye-5hellooooo-6.html